135 pages ; 19 cm

"In 1615, the poet and writer Gervase Markham published an extraordinary handbook for housewives, containing advice on everything from planting herbs to brewing beer, feeding animals to distilling perfume, with recipes for a variety of dishes such as trifle, pancakes and salads (not to mention some amusingly tart words on how the ideal wife should behave). Aimed at middle-class women who would share in household tasks with their servants in the kitchen, this companionable and opinionated book offers a richly enjoyable glimpse of the way we lived, worked and ate 400 years ago"--Publisher's description

Extract from The English housewife published in 1615

Includes bibliographical references

The inward virtues of every housewife -- The outward and active knowledge of the housewife, including her skill in cookery with flesh, fish, sauces, pastry, banqueting and great feasts -- The distillations of water and their virtues -- The ordering, preserving, and helping of all sorts of wines -- Of the excellency of oats -- Of the brew-house and the bake-house -- Glossary

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